Miami Hurricane, February 27, 1998

              "•'ivuwrroF u
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
SINCE 1927
VOLUME 75, NUMBER 37
s issue
WWW.HURRICANE.MIAMI.EDU
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27,1998
/

V “4
"itlk *r l « **
POUNDED BY PIRATES
■ The University of Miami men's basketball team gave up a much-needed victory to Seton Hall. Find out what happened.
SPORTS, page 6
COFFEE FIX
■	Starbucks coffee epire
comes to UM.
ACCENT, page 9 A VOICE FOR UNPOPULAR
■	Opinion Editor Ben Ferguson speaks up about why it's important to hear even the most unpopular opinions.
news briefs
SIS NAMES NEW DEAN
School of International Studies Dean announced Andy S. Gomez, Ed.D., has been named associate dean of the University of Miami's School of International Studies (SIS).
Last fall, the University created the School of International Studies, which incorporated the existing Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) and several other related undergraduate programs. Beginning this fall, SIS will be offering both undergraduate and graduate programs to better reflect UM's long-standing involvement in international education.
Previously, Gomez served as director of corporate and international relations for UM's Division of University Advancement where he spearheaded the International Advisory Board (IAR), a group of international business leaders led by Manuel Jorge Cutillas, chairman of Bacardi, Ltd.
Before joining the University of Miami, Gomez was undersecretary of education and chief of staff for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Memorial services for Aaron Baber will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at 4 p.m. Services will be take place in Pearson Residential College at the home of Dr. Charles Mallery,
LANDSLIDE!
U-DECIDED: President Elect Andrew Paul
■ Paul, ‘U-Decide’ win election by wide margin
By KELLY RUANE
Editor In Chief
There was a landslide Thursday and when the dust settled, junior Andrew Paul became the next President of the University of Miami Student Government.
With 76 percent of the votes, Paul won over senior Jeff Basiaga, with 11.3 percent, and freshman Danny Riley, with five percent of the votes.
Paul s running mates on the “U Decide" ticket, junior Mickey Marrerro (Vice President) and junior Jessica Becher (Treasurer) ran unopposed and won easily.
"It’s been a long exhausting process," Paul said. “But it was worth it, and there’s a lot of work to be done "
Paul’s goals for his term include improving the dining halls and establishing a "Safe Ride Program," to protect students from drinking and driving. Paul said he will begin working toward these goals as soon as he takes the oath of office on Wednesday. March 25.
Senior Michelle Propos, chair of the Elections Commission, said 887 people voted this year, roughly It percent of the student body. This year, part-time students who paid the Student Activity Fee were also Mowed to vote.
“Originally only full-time students paid the Activity Fee,” Propos said. "This year we opened [the voting] up to part-time students.”
The increase of the Student Activity Fee also passed, with 682 votes in favor, to 192 votes against.
In the races for SG Senate, Laura Batista, Sonia Borrell, Dana Cairo and Janice Lay are the new Arts and Science Senators. Annie Mathiot was voted Architecture senator.
Business senator referendum Jonathan Singer was reelected, and will be joined by junior Shane Weaver in the other Business seat. Racquel Russell won the seat for Communications senator.
In the College of Engineering, the write-in votes determined the winner, Sean Wilson.
There were no winners for Music or Nursing senator. Anyone interested in these two seats should stop by the Student Government office, UC 240.
Carni
Gras
today
■ Celebration starts with UC
Patio carnival and ends with drive-in movie at IM field
By ANTHONY LANGELLA
Hurricane Staff Writer Even though the big party is over in New Orleans, this party is just beginning on the University of Miami campus.
Cami Gras ’98 will take place today at the UC Patio from 11 a m. through 5 p.m. and continue into the evening with two drive-in-movies at the Intramural Field beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Cami Gras ’98 is a daylong outdoor festival. The carnival-type atmosphere uses the Mardi Gras colors of yellow, purple and green and resembles the traditional festival, which will be filled with games, food and fun.
The day begins with a variety of games for students to choose from. Students will be able to participate at no charge in a giant Twister game, a Laser Storm Arena. Velcro Olympics, Bungee Run, Speed Pitch and an obstacle course.
There will also be an abundance of food. Cotton candy, Sno-cones, Coke, bagels, nachos and popcorn will be available to students as their stomachs begin to growl.
According to the Cami Gras ’98 Co-Chairs Mercy Fernandez and Julie Vilaboy, this year's event is going to he much bigger than it has been before.
Fernandez and Vilaboy started putting Cami Gras '98 together from the beginning. They have worked hard all year on this event and now it is time for the efforts to pay off.
Fernandez said, "We've been in the office ever since September and we got a lot of donations from our sponsors." With the aid of the numerous corporate sponsors such as Hard Rock Café, Einstein Bros. Bagels, WPGL Channel 10 and The Big Cheese, Cami Gras '98
See CARNI GRAS • Page 2
Law dean resigns after weeks of faculty conflicts
■ Resignation connected to law school downsizing
By KELLY RUANE
Editor In Chief
University of Miami Law School students rallied Monday afternoon in support of their dean, Samuel Thompson, after he resigned last week. Thompson cited problems with University administration as a key reason for his departure
After a few weeks of conflict with Law School faculty. University President Edward T. Foote II and Provost Luis Glaser, Thompson decided to step down in May.
At the rally, Thompson addressed the students, and expressed his regret over leaving.
"Since I am leaving my deanshtp before the battle to move this law school sharply forward is won, I feel I owe you, the students, a more complete explanation of the circumstances that led to my resignation last Thursday," Thompson said.
Thompson's decision to resign has left students with many questions about the future of the Law Schtxtl. Thompson, known as someone who never likes to leave a job unfinished, will be leaving before he sees the schtxtl downsize.
Last fall, Thompson announced that he wanted to downsize the law schtxtl in order to increase the value of a law degree from Miami. The goal: To put UM at a more equal footing with other law schools around the country. Thompson said he hopes the new dean will earn on his plan for downsizing.
"It's bound to continue," Thompson said. "The next dean is going to have to be committed to it."
Foote said he supported the decision to downsize the law school "There have been many people for a long time who thought it should be smaller," Foou said "Ultimately, it was a faculty decision."
Thompson came to the University in 1994. In addition to serving as the dean, Thompson taught lax law and general mergers and acquisitions.
During his tenure as dean, he has worked to raise money for the Law School. Thompson said he believes the donations to the Law School will continue even though he is stepping down.
"I think the troops will rally around and move to greater heights," Thompson said The next dean will surpass |my fund-raising collections.]"
Thompson said he intends to take a year's sabbatical "to decide what I
want to do." He said he may go hack to teaching at the Law School.
"As a future faculty member here, I will be happy to participate in any open debate with any party on the steps needed to put this institution on the right course," Thompson said.
Thompson said there have been problems at the Law School since before his arrival in 1994.
"While here [interviewing in 1994 for position) I met with students and received many complaints about low morale and about their feelings of bad and discourteous treatment from some—and I emphasize some—faculty members,” Thompson said.
Thompson cited a serious problem with professors handing in late grades.
"The complaints here about late grades were clearly more acute than the complaints I had experienced at any of the three other law schools at which I have taught: UCLA, University of Virginia, and Northwestern	University,"
Thompson said.
Thompson said despite the problems. he is happy he accepted the position.
"I am very glad the job was offered and that I was accepted," Thompson said. "1 have particularly enjoyed working with our students and alumni Although working with
some members of our faculty has been difficult, I have very much enjoyed working with others."
Thompson said his decision to leave was primarily a business decision, not a personal one.
"The problems with me and the faculty are not personal," Thompson said "I have gixvd friends, with whom I've had disagreements. There is no animosity on my side."
Thompson said he based his decision to leave because of a different "vision of how the Law School is supposed to be run.'"
Thompson said he chose to go public with the real reason for his resignation after law professor Mickey Graham announced it in his class.
"1 felt obligated not to disclose the details behind this decision," Thompson said. "However, an unauthorized disclosure by one of our senior faculty members in his class mandates that I address the full record."
According to Thompson, Graham told his students that "there was an evaluation process in the fall, and the dean [Thompson) got a negative vote in a secret ballot."
"The improper disclosure, which was made completely out of context, is incomplete and potentially
See DEAN • Page 4
‘Suburbia’ offends Ring patrons
■ Show interests more students while offending longtime patrons
By SARAH GUARNACCIA
News Editor
In an effort to bring shows that will both interest students and stimulate ticket sales, the Ring Theater at the University of Miami has allowed plays with greater sexual and vulgar content to enter into their season.
With shows such as Hair, Colored Museum and the play currently running at the Ring. Suburbia, the theater has indeed been attracting more students from the University.
Yet, outside community members are staying away.
The company of a younger crowd is not what is keeping many community members away from such performances however. The subject matter within the shows have turned off many subscribers and patrons, most of whom are over 50 years of age.
Certain audiences said they could not tolerate the bad language in Suburbia due to the absence
SUBURBIA: Actors pictured (I to r) Sean O' Toole, Adam Weifer, lason Grigsh' Nicole Dalton
File Photo
______	.) Sean
lason Grigsby and
of a plot.
After Suburbia's first week at the theater, some audiences were asking for their money back and leaving during intermission due to its content.
"It goes overboard and its predictable," said an anonymous theater patron who left at intermission. "They are saying [vulgar words) for shock value."
According to Ring General Manager Kent Lantaff, he will refund money fix those who are
upset from the show, as well as wnte them letters in response to their complaints.
Suburbia has both disturbed and entertained a mixed audience. According to LantafT. students have made up 50 percent of the audiences during its two-week run.
Some public were frightened away once they heard the theater's disclaimers admonishing bad language. According Lantaff. some students just laughed the warning off.
"It was really gxxxl,'' said junior J.P. DiMisa. "It was not offensive to me personally, but 1 can see how it would offend other people."
The primarily white cast also speaks negatively about races such as blacks. Jews and Middle-Easterners in the play.
"If my mother was there, I'd feel very embarrassed," said sophomore Sarah Yoho. “But I think in order to portray characters in a correct way you have to use realistic language, which kind of justifies why the character Sooze [Nicole Dalton] takes off her shirt."
Some students favored actress Dalton's choice to take off her shirt in the beginning act while.
See SUBURBIA • Page 4